Schmap Budapest More Famous Sights

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Budapest - More Famous Sights
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Now it's time to visit some of the more famous sights. This tour begins right where you started and ended your first tour; along the Duna Korzo (Embankment).

From the Korzo, walk back to Vorosmarty ter (away from the river). To the right is Vaci utca, the city's most famous shopping street. Walk along Vaci at your leisure - you will see some wonderful architecture as well as have a wide choice of interesting shops to peruse. You may also want to explore some of the streets that lead off to the East and West; like Vaci they are also pedestrian only. Eventually you will come to what appears to be the end of the street, where the cars whizz by to get onto the white Erzsebet (Elizabeth) Bridge. Take the pedestrian underpass and you will come up on the other side of the street (while underground, take time out to look at the photos of Budapest over the years which can be seen behind glass on the underground passage walls).

This side of Vaci (technically the southern side) was only recently made a pedestrian zone, so it's still not quite as developed as the northern side. Nevertheless many people find this makes it more interesting: keep your eyes raised upwards, especially when you come to the intersections, where you will see the bullet and shrapnel holes in the building façades, painful testament to the grim events of 1956.

When you get to the end of this section of the street, you will be facing one of the city's many interesting Covered Markets. This one is especially popular with tourists, as much of the upper floor is devoted to Hungarian handicrafts and souvenirs. Take the time to find the langos (fried dough) booth, or have a glass of wine with the many locals who do their shopping at the food stalls on the ground floor.

Exit the market hall from the same doors you entered, and walk towards the river. Ahead, you will see the beautiful green Iron Bridge. This leads to Gellert Hill, and the famous Hotel Gellert. As you walk across it, you will be able to enjoy stunning views of the city. If you're trying to conserve energy, tram No 47 or 49 will also get you across. At this point, standing in front of the famous hotel, you'll have to make a tough choice: whether to explore the world famous Gellert Baths, or to take a panoramic hike up to the top of Gellert Hill.

The walk up to the top of the hill takes around 20 minutes. The park on the way up is beautiful and usually full of walkers, dogs and children but the main reason for the climb is the spectacular panoramic views. This is definitely a place where you will want to take photos. Take a break at the top of the hill and enjoy the views: you deserve it!

From the bottom of Gellert hill, beside the river, continue by taking tram No 19 all the way to Batthyany ter (no more walking!). Take a few minutes to look around; Batthyany ter offers the very best views of the beautiful neo-Gothic parliament building in the whole city. You may want to take a break at one of the cafés here.

When you're ready, take the metro to Deak ter. While changing lines, stop in at the Underground Railway Museum and learn a little about the history of the continents oldest metro line. Continue along on line 1, and take it all the way to Heroes' Square (Hosok tere).

This picturesque and ceremonial square has been built on a grand scale. The monuments here are impressive (there used to be a statue of Stalin here in 1956), and behind the square is City Park, the Zoo, the Amusement Park and the world famous Gundel restaurant. On both sides of the square are huge museums. All in all it would not be difficult to spend several days just exploring the nearby attractions.

When you're finished with the square, take the time to walk down Andrassy ut, admiring the many fine houses and buildings. Along the way you will come across the Opera House, Liszt square and many other interesting sights. If you're tired, take the metro back to Vorosmarty square: you will be right back where you started, and ready for a stop at a café or a rest by the river.

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Amusement Park (Vidam Park)

A wooden big dipper!

Allatkerti korut, 14/16
Vidam Park, District XIV
Budapest 1146
Hungary
+36 1 343 9810
http://www.vidampark.hu

Expect dodgems, a fine merry-go-round and allegedly the oldest wooden big-dipper in Europe. This park is located just behind the zoo and is great fun for kids. The whole area is geared towards a great day out: besides the amusement park, you will also find two museums, a huge green space, thermal baths, the circus, and much more. It's a busy and fun place to spend a few hours, or the whole day. The easiest way to get here is on the yellow metro line, also called the Millenium Metro, which is in itself quite an attraction, as it is the oldest metro on the continent.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Amusement Park (Vidam Park) photo by Heiko Weber

Photo: Heiko Weber

Amusement Park (Vidam Park) photo by andyzmmr

Photo: andyzmmr

Amusement Park (Vidam Park) photo by Kieron Helsdon

Photo: Kieron Helsdon

Amusement Park (Vidam Park) photo by Michelle Enemark

Photo: Michelle Enemark

Amusement Park (Vidam Park) photo by Richie Auter

Photo: Richie Auter

Andrassy ut

Beautiful old tree-lined street Andrassy ut
District VI (section from Oktogon to City Park)
Budapest 1061
Hungary
Once you get past the rather built up and hectic (though still picturesque) section of Andrassy utca that leads to Oktogon, you will discover that the street suddenly changes. Huge and beautiful buildings with intricate and ornate façades are separated from the main road by grassy traffic islands reflecting good urban planning. This street was constructed as part of the nation's millennium celebrations in 1896, along with the M1 metro, which runs beneath it. It was started in 1872 and took twelve years to complete. Since then, it has been renamed several times: first after Prime Minister Andrassy, then it changed to (believe it or not) Sztalin (i.e. Stalin) utca and after Stalin was denounced it was changed again to 'Avenue of the People's Republic'. Finally, in 1990 it changed back to Andrassy utca; which many had continued calling it all along. Enjoy a stroll all the way up to Heroes' Square, from where you can catch the M1 back to Vorosmarty.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Batthyany Square

Square with a beautiful view Batthyany ter
District I
Budapest 1011
Hungary
If you've ever wondered where the beautiful unobstructed photos of the Parliament building are taken from; this is almost certainly the spot. Batthyany ter offers gorgeous views over the Danube as well as some sights of its own that are worth a visit e.g. the Church of St. Anne. The metro (M2) began stopping here in 1972 and as a result, the square is now a popular spot for commuters. There are some cafés and a few snack bars in the area as well as a large Market Hall.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Alberto De Marco
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City Park

Lungs of the city Hosok tere
District XIV
Budapest 1146
Hungary
+36 1 322 4098 (Tourist Information) The park is dominated by the Vajdahunyad Castle - originally built for the 1896 millennium celebrations - which represents every style of Hungarian architecture. In summer, there is a lake for boating, which in winter is turned into a huge and very popular skating rink. It also houses the Museum of Agriculture and a statue of George Washington. This was erected to thank America for taking in so many Hungarian immigrants in the early twentieth century.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Covered Markets

Everything under the sun Fovam ter
District IX
Budapest 1093
Hungary
The largest of these-originally opened in 1897 - is in Fovam ter, on the Pest side, just by Szabadsdag (Liberty) bridge. The three-storey market re-opened in 1994 after extensive restoration work including a delightful roof made from Zsolnay ceramic tiles. Used extensively by locals, there are hundreds of stalls selling fruit and vegetables, groceries, meat and fish, cheeses and pretty much everything else. It is worth a visit, but bear in mind that Saturday morning is the busiest time of the week. Another equally well restored, though smaller market is in Hold utca in the fifth district, near Szabadsag ter and opposite the charming National Savings Bank building. Visit whichever is nearest to where you are for an authentic Hungarian shopping experience.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Delicious Malicious

Erzsebet (Elizabeth) Bridge

Suspension bridge Districts I and V
Budapest 1056
Hungary
This bridge is named for Hungary's most beloved queen. The original Erzsebet Bridge, completed in 1903, was destroyed during World War II (as were all the other bridges). The new version is a white suspension bridge shooting out from the base of Gellert Hill and into Kossuth Lajos utca, perpendicular to Budapest's main shopping street; Vaci utca. Constructed from a design by Pal Savoly, it was finished in 1964.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Gellert Baths

Famous baths and swimming pools Kelenhegyi ut, 4-6
District XI
Budapest 1118
Hungary
+36 1 466 6616 These famous baths are adjacent to the equally famous Hotel Gellert. The interior is an Art Deco masterpiece, and just about every type of bath - hot, cold, therapeutic, etc. - that you can think of is on available. Believe it or not, the wave pool opened in 1927, followed seven years later by the bubble pool. Bathing here has been compared to going swimming in a museum or a church. The newest and most exciting activities at the Gellert baths are the summer music parties, which are on Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Gundel

For lovers of good food Allatkerti ut 2
(District XIV)
Budapest 1146
Hungary
+36 1 468 4040
http://www.gundel.hu Founded in 1894 by Janos Gundel, this establishment has been called the best restaurant in Europe and some say the best in the world. The dining hall recalls the opulence of Budapest at the beginning of the twentieth century; there's a champagne bar and a wine cellar. The terrace garden is a delightful place to sit in summer and listen to gypsy musicians. Lamb and pigeon come in delicate pastry cases and can be washed down with wine from Gundel's own vineyards. Set lunch menus are available for HUF6000.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Heroes' Square

Hungarian war memorial Top of Andrassy ut
(District VI)
Budapest 1062
Hungary
This imposing square was built for the 1896 millennium celebrations. It is dominated by the Archangel Gabriel who is surrounded by seven statues representing the chiefs of the seven Magyar tribes who settled in this area (supposedly in AD 896). The large open space is dedicated to the Hungarian war memorial and attracts tourists, skateboarders and inline skaters in their dozens. Check out the recently restored art museums on either side of the square.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Opera House

Beautiful neo-Renaissance building Andrassy ut, 22
Budapest 1061
Hungary
+36 (0)1 353 0170
http://www.opera.hu/ Famous Hungarian architect Miklos Ybl completed this building in 1884. Its style is very neo-Renaissance with a wildly exotic interior featuring cherubs, marble, gilt and frescoes. A 45-minute tour of the building in most major languages can be arranged for HUF900. These tend to start at 3pm or 4pm; go to the door on the right of the building, beside the sphinx. Tickets to see the opera here are extremely inexpensive.

Thália Theater

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Parliament Building

Inspired by Westminster Kossuth Lajos ter, 1-3
District V
Budapest 1055
Hungary
+36 1 441 4904 This building was constructed at a time when Hungary was three times the size it is now (it became smaller as a result of having been shared out after the First World War; when Hungary was on the losing side). Today, the government is housed in only a small portion of the building. The inspiration for this building is said to have been the Palace of Westminster in London. Like so much along the Pest bank of the Danube, the best view are actually from across the river (especially from Batthyany ter). Guided tours are available when parliament is not in session (go to Gate X to the right of the main entrance).

Review © 2007, Wcities

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